Modular lathes



Jan. 16, 1968 P. D. GEORGE 3,363,491

MODULAR LATHES Original Filed May 15, 1964 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG.

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INVENTOR. PETER D.GEORGE Wm, an. *oazrv ATTORNEYS United States Patent3,363,491 MODULAR LATHES Peter D. George, 156 Crahtree Road, Quincy,Mass. 02169 Original application May 15, 1964, Ser. No. 367,720. Dividedand this application Jan. 23, 1967, Ser. No.

3 Claims. (11. 82-3 ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This application is adivision of my US. application Ser. No. 367,720, filed May 15, 1964.

This invention relates generally to lathe machinery and moreparticularly is directed towards a lathe base support and driving headin cooperation with a variety of interchangeable modules adapted toperform selected machining operations. This invention is also directedtowards improvements in lathe components.

A lathe generically defines a machine adapted to remove metal from aworkpiece by gripping it securely in a clamping device and rotating itunder power against a suitable cutting tool. Lathes are able to performa number of machining operations such as facing, boring and threading,and, depending upon the design of the machine, these operations may becarried out under manual, semi-automatic or completely automaticcontrol. While machines of this type generally are quite versatile as aclass, a specific lathe unit is relatively restricted as to its range ofoperations. For this reason, machine shops normally require severalindividual lathe machines, each adapted to perform certain machiningoperations for which each machine is particularly designed. Since eachmachine is a relatively expensive piece of equipment, a sizable capitaloutlay is required to properly outfit a machine shop.

Accordingly, it is a general object of the present invention to provideimprovements in lathe machines.

Another object of this invention is to provide a basic lathe unitadapted to accommodate a variety of interchangeable modules forperforming a variety of different machining operations.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a lathe machinewhich is readily convertible from one mode of operation to another.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a lathe machinewith cooperating modules which may function on a manual, semi-automaticor completely automatic basis.

More particularly, this invention features a lathe comprising a basicdriving head and cylindrical ways of hardened metal on which areselectively mounted interchangeable modules each adapted to perform oneor more selected operations such as threading, boring, or the like.Certain ones of the modules may be programmed to cycle automatically andperform selected predetermined operations on a completely automaticbasis. Other modules may be employed for semi-automatic operation while3,363,491 Patented Jan. 16, 1968 further modules may be operatedmanually for use in producing individual parts not suitable forautomatic production.

However, these and other features of the invention, along with furtherobjects and advantages thereof, will become more fully apparent from thefollowing detailed description of a preferred embodiment of theinvention, with reference being made to the accompanying drawings inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a threading machine module mounted on alathe base,

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 is a view in perspective of the threading machine actuatingmechanism of FIG. 1 with portions broken away to show details ofconstruction.

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, there is illustrated a threadingmachine module assembled on a lathe base. This threading module includesa tail stock mounted on ways 20 and 22 and inclueds a conventional tailstock advance 152 and lock 154. The main portion of the threadingmachine is organized about a carriage 156 mounted on the ways 20 and 22.The carriage 156 is formed with a generally wedged shaped baffle section158 which conforms to the configuration of an opening 18 in the drivehousing.

The function of the battle section 158 is to direct the flow of chipsand coolants rearwardly and away from the operating mechanism. Mountedon the top portion of the carriage is a block 160 which slideablysupports a cylindrical tool holder 162 disposed right angularly withrespect to the ways 20 and 22 and adapted to be reciprocated into andout of cutting engagement with a workpiece rotatably mounted between thetail stock and the spindle.

The tool holder 162 at its outer end engages the bracket 164 which ismounted fast to a connecting rod 166 extending in spaced parallelrelation to the tool holder 162 and also slideably mounted through theblock 160. The block 160 as best shown in the cutaway view of FIG. 3 isformed with a chamber 168 through which extends a portion of the rod166. This rod is formed with a notched portion 170 to receive one leg171 of a dog 172 pivoted about a vertical pin 174. The dog 172 is alsoformed with another leg 176 drivingly connected by a push rod 178 to apneumatic or hydraulic power cylinder 180 shown in FIG. 1. It will beunderstood that whenever the power cylinder 180 is actuated the push rod178 will pivot the dog 172 thereby reciprocating the rod 166 which inturn will reciprocate the tool holder 162.

Associated also 'with the reciprocation of the tool holder 162 is acontrol mechanism for making cuts of graduated depth. This controlmechanism is organized generally about a ratchet wheel 182 faced with aplurality of stepped bosses 184 arranged concentrically about the outermargin of the wheel 182. The bosses are graduated in the length aboutthe wheel and may be indexed into register with an adjustable stop 186.This stop is the inner end of a screw 188 threaded through the bracket164 and rotated by means of a dial handle 190 which may be locked in aselected position by means of a set screw 191. The outer periphery ofthe handle 190 is calibrated for reading against a pointer 193 extendingfrom the face of the bracket 164. It will be understood that as the toolholder 162 is reciprocated back and forth the depth of the cut will becontrolled by the stop 186 as it comes against one of the bosses 184during a cutting stroke. The mechanism is arranged so that the wheel 182indexes either in single or multiple increments each time the toolholder is reciprocated so that each cutting stroke will advance to agreater depth than the preceding cutting stroke.

The mechanism for advancing or indexing the ratchet Wheel includes apawl 192 pivoted about a pin 194- carried by a rotor 196. The pin may beselectively mounted in any one of a plurality of radially spaced holes198 formed in the rotor at the base of a radial groove 200. The rotor isadapted to be rotated each time the dog 172 is biased whereby the pawlwill be advanced to index the ratchet wheel. It will be understood thatthe further out the pawl is mounted along the rotor the greater will bethe increment of advance of the ratchet wheel whereas if the pawl ismounted in one of the innermost holes 198 of the rotor, the ratchetwheel will be advanced only in single or double increments.

The rotor actuating mechanism includes vertical pin 202 depending fromthe arm 176 of the dog 172 and in the path of a horizontally extendingpin 204 mounted to a disc 206 which is rotatable with the rotor 196.Thus, each time the pin 202 is moved against the pin 204 under theaction of the push rod 178, the rotor will be rotated and the ratchetwheel will be indexed.

The longitudinal movement of the entire carriage 156 along the ways 20and 22 is controlled by means of a lead screw 208 extending parallelbetween the ways and in driving engagement with the carriage. Thus, asthe machine is cycled, the carriage will reciprocate back and forthalong the ways and the tool holder will reciprocate in and out againstthe workpiece with the cutting depth being increased over each precedingcutuntil the entire work is finished at which point the depth controlwill be recycled.

It will be noted that the tool holder may be rotated about itslongitudinal axis in order to produce a selected helix angle on thework. A suitable dial 210 is provided for this purpose.

While the invention has been described with particular reference to theillustrated embodiments, it will be understood that numerousmodifications thereto will appear to those skilled in the art. Also, itwill be understood that the above description and accompanying drawingsshould be taken as illustrative of the invention and not in a limitingsense.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim and 4 desire to obtainby letters Patent of the United States 1. A thread forming apparatus fora lathe, comprising (a) a support mountable on said lathe,

(b) a tool holding rod slidably mounted to said support,

(c) power means engaging said rod for axial reciprocation thereof,

(d) a wheel rotatably mounted to said support about an axis parallel tosaid rod,

(e) a plurality of stops disposed about said wheel,

(f) said stops being of different effective lengths,

(g) another stop mounted to said rod and in line with said wheel, and,

(h) means responsive to reciprocation of said rod for indexing saidwheel and thereby move successive wheel stops into register with saidrod stop for changing the cutting strokes of said rod,

(i) said indexing means including a rotor drivingly connected to saidpower means and rotatable upon each actuation of said power means,

(j) a pawl mounted to said rotor and extending into engagement with saidwheel, said wheel being formed with cooperating ratchet teeth forindexing said wheel upon rotation of said rotor.

2. A thread forming apparatus according to claim 1 including a pivoteddog drivingly engaging said rod, said power means and said rotor,whereby actuation of said power means will pivot said dog to reciprocatesaid rod and rotate said rotor.

3. A thread forming attachment according to claim 1 including adjustingmeans connecting said pawl to said rotor for selectively positiong saidpawl along a radius of said rotor to thereby selectively increase ordecrease the movement of said pawl upon rotation of said rotor.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 230,629 8/1880 Grant 82 5 796,1718/ 1905 Ambrose 82 5 2,903,933 9/ 1959 Mackenzie 82--5 3,121,357 2/1964Skoglund et al. 82 5 LEONIDAS VLACHOS, Primary Examiner.

